Staff Writer

This was an odd one. With the Joker missing and presumed dead in the DCU, as well as not having a face, what we get for the most famous villain in all of comics is a strange, disconnected story that’s not much to do with anything and perhaps even breaks one of cardinal rules of Joker stories. You don’t definitively reveal his back-story.

This issue is full of flashbacks to the Joker’s sad childhood, and I just don’t want to see stuff like that, the Joker should be a mysterious force of nature, not some pat abused child psycho. If only Kubert had revealed that those flashbacks may not have been true. It was interesting to read a comic that was written, not drawn by Andy Kubert, and I thought he did a good job to be fair, apart from the mis-step of those flashbacks.

The main story, where the Joker raises a chimpanzee as his son, Jackanapes, was the kind of crazy weirdness I love from that character, and it was a lot of fun to see the Joker running around with a chimp in a clown costume. The artwork from Andy Clarke was also excellent, I love his style. Jackanapes was awfully cute, and the Joker looked like the classic Joker we all know and love. I must say I don’t really like the current faceless incarnation, it’s too much.

So yeah, if you want to read a story about the Joker and his simian son, check this book out. If you’re looking for anything more than that, then sorry. The Joker is a fascinating character, and as I said, he’s probably DC’s most famous villain, this book should be more than just ape-based fun, even if I always enjoy apes in comics. I suppose with Snyder keeping Joker off the board, this is to be expected, but I do feel this is a missed opportunity.

Staff Writer

This was an odd one. With the Joker missing and presumed dead in the DCU, as well as not having a face, what we get for the most famous villain in all of comics is a strange, disconnected story that’s not much to do with anything and perhaps even breaks one of cardinal rules of Joker stories. You don’t definitively reveal his back-story.

This issue is full of flashbacks to the Joker’s sad childhood, and I just don’t want to see stuff like that, the Joker should be a mysterious force of nature, not some pat abused child psycho. If only Kubert had revealed that those flashbacks may not have been true. It was interesting to read a comic that was written, not drawn by Andy Kubert, and I thought he did a good job to be fair, apart from the mis-step of those flashbacks.

The main story, where the Joker raises a chimpanzee as his son, Jackanapes, was the kind of crazy weirdness I love from that character, and it was a lot of fun to see the Joker running around with a chimp in a clown costume. The artwork from Andy Clarke was also excellent, I love his style. Jackanapes was awfully cute, and the Joker looked like the classic Joker we all know and love. I must say I don’t really like the current faceless incarnation, it’s too much.

So yeah, if you want to read a story about the Joker and his simian son, check this book out. If you’re looking for anything more than that, then sorry. The Joker is a fascinating character, and as I said, he’s probably DC’s most famous villain, this book should be more than just ape-based fun, even if I always enjoy apes in comics. I suppose with Snyder keeping Joker off the board, this is to be expected, but I do feel this is a missed opportunity.

Twenty-Something

ok I just read the book I got a few questions 1. When does this story happen ? Joker is sans face and possibly (but not really) dead right now 2. When did Andy Kubert start drawing like Leienl you ? (it's not bad but his style has really changed)if this is what the rest of these "villain month" books are like I'll pass,I don't know what it is and maybe it's just me but the new (now old) 52 stuff just seems really flat and soulless

Twenty-Something

ok I just read the book I got a few questions 1. When does this story happen ? Joker is sans face and possibly (but not really) dead right now 2. When did Andy Kubert start drawing like Leienl you ? (it's not bad but his style has really changed)if this is what the rest of these "villain month" books are like I'll pass,I don't know what it is and maybe it's just me but the new (now old) 52 stuff just seems really flat and soulless

Staff Writer

eltopo wrote:1. When does this story happen ? Joker is sans face and possibly (but not really) dead right now

I haven't read it yet but the CBR preview says it's a flash-back. Most of the Villain issues are flash-backs that are then tied to what's happening now in the DCU.

The Joker has FOREVER been the face of EVIL in the DC Universe…but what led him on this devious path of treachery? Andy Kubert pens this early adventure showcasing the maniacal exploits of the Crown Prince of Gotham—The JOKER!

Staff Writer

eltopo wrote:1. When does this story happen ? Joker is sans face and possibly (but not really) dead right now

I haven't read it yet but the CBR preview says it's a flash-back. Most of the Villain issues are flash-backs that are then tied to what's happening now in the DCU.

The Joker has FOREVER been the face of EVIL in the DC Universe…but what led him on this devious path of treachery? Andy Kubert pens this early adventure showcasing the maniacal exploits of the Crown Prince of Gotham—The JOKER!